SHANGHAI: China plans to recruit as many as 1 million disabled athletes into its Special Olympics program by 2010, almost doubling its current figure.

Wang Zhijun, chairman of Special Olympics China, made the announcement at a press conference yesterday, saying it had been an "arduous and progressive process" to build the Special Olympics movement in the country in recent years.

Seven years ago, the China Disabled Persons' Federation proposed to grow the number of athletes from 50,000 to 500,000 within five years.

The federation's five-year plan also predicts the general living conditions of the country's disabled people. By 2010, some 8.3 million, or about one-tenth of the total of China's disabled, will attain some rehabilitation and a "well-to-do" quality of life, according to the plan.

Measures include boosting the quality of the country's care centers and campaigns to reduce negative public perceptions of disabled people.

Governments at various levels have already poured funds into projects aimed at assisting the disabled community.

Shanghai's Minhang District, provided 20 million yuan ($2.66 million) for two of the 25 sports events at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai.

To attain the country's "1 million goal", Wang said efforts would be "concentrated on development at the foundations of society".

He also said the summer games would challenge peoples' prejudice against disabled people.

Wang Xinxian, vice-chairman of the federation said discrimination needed further tackling and local governments should invest more in initiatives to benefit disabled people.

He said China's care centers for the disabled still needed development, however, they were staffed by dedicated doctors, nurses and teachers.

At the summer games, held for the first time in an Asian city, China's team numbered 1,700, including 1,270 athletes. By Monday, the Chinese delegation had won 224 golds, 161 silvers and 113 bronzes.

"It's a reflection of China's achievements in the Special Olympics movement," Zhao Sujing, deputy head of Chinese delegation, said.